5 Reasons Why Community Gardens are Good For Us

Before I begin, it seems appropriate to mention what exactly community gardens are… Firstly they’re not places “where old folk hang out” as has been suggested by a couple of people – far from it 😉

Community gardens attract people from the entire social economic spectrum, irrespective of race, gender, religion or age. I’ve talked on several radio shows including our local KCLR and Kilkenny City Community Radio stations as well as Dublin FM’s Sodshow about the differences between community gardens, allotments and community gardening allotments. In short, a community garden is where people come together to grow food and flowers, they share all the work and they share the produce.

But don’t just listen to me, read the facts. There’s been a great deal of research undertaken on the benefits of this form of collective gardening.

1. Community Gardeners Weigh Less – Yes, it’s true (oops, better hide that biscuit tin…!!). At a time when obesity is very much in the headlines the University of Utah published a report in 2013 with findings that community gardeners have a significantly lower body mass index than their non-gardening neighbours – up to 11lbs in women and 16lbs in men!

2. Community gardens help to reduce stress – I know it and anyone else who gardens knows it, I’ve written numerous blog posts about it too, but there are several research studies that now prove gardening is great for our mental well-being, self-esteem and overall mood. A report published in 2011 by van den Berg and Clusters provided the first experimental evidence that gardening can promote relief from acute stress, either by working on or just being in an allotment (community) garden.

3. Community gardeners eat better – A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour showed that adults with a household member who participated in a community garden consumed fruit and vegetables 1.4 more times per day than those who did not take part, and they were 3.5 times more likely to consume fruits and vegetables at least five times daily.

4. Community Gardens are Social Levellers – It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher or a technician, a farmer or a forester, a managing director or a maintenance worker, once in a garden we’re all the same. I’ve seen people working alongside one another for over a year before they’ve found out what their gardening neighbour does outside of the garden. Why has it taken that long? Because once you’re in a community garden it’s all about the fresh air and the soil, nature, cooking, fresh food that’s been grown without chemicals, the environment and beautiful plants and the community at large.

5. People Learn how to garden – growing your own in a quiet allotment or your back garden can be quite a lonely existence until you find other like-minded souls to chat with about their experiences. When you join a community garden you’re surrounded by people of all abilities – from complete beginners to lifetime growers and they’re all happy to share their experience and knowledge. Community gardens often have gardening tutors on site or run courses to help gardeners increase their skills and knowledge – they’re rarely left to figure it all out on their own.

There are many reasons why community gardens are good for us, several of which are listed in the tabs at the top of the page above under the Community Garden heading.

Still not sure? A Reuters video explains why people are community gardening in the U.S. and why it’s so popular there. What do you think, would you like to see a community coming together to grow and share here in Ireland?

Without a doubt Brian and thanks for taking the time to comment. It was interesting recording some of the community gardeners for the CGN (community garden network) video. They all mentioned they enjoyed the social element, learning how to sow seeds and watching plants grow. I was delighted to find that research could back up some of the benefit identified (there’s another list of ten in the tab above) which will hopefully encourage more people to try it.

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Who is Behind Greenside Up

Hi, my name is Dee Sewell, social and therapeutic horticulturalist, owner/manager of Greenside Up, community and vegetable garden tutor and author of this blog.
I began blogging back in 2009 when I started my Carlow/Kilkenny garden business and as a result the blog is now full of tips, tales, talk and tasty treats about Ireland, gardening, recipes, the environment, family life and community.
If you want to find more about how we came to live in Ireland and what we do, take a look in the About page or Contact me about how I can help you grow your own food.

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Testimonials

‘Droichead Community Garden Project feel very lucky to have a lady such as Dee facilitating our group. Dee has an in-depth knowledge of all things gardening and is a tremendous asset to any gardening group. Without Dee’s support we would be unable to keep this community garden going’.

Dee is dedicated & passionate about her business and has great ideas how to benefit organisations through the use of horticulture.

Brian Andrews, ID8

Dee Sewell is doing amazing work at supporting and promoting positive, sustainable action at community level. Her commitment, enthusiasm and efforts in doing so so should be recognised and supported as much as possible.

Peadar Rice, Owner, Small Changes

I was extremely happy with the community garden project delivered by Greenside Up at Carrick-on-Suir Library. Dee Sewell delivered everything she promised in a friendly and professional manner and with a very short lead time. Dee worked well with the TY boys from CBS Carrick-on-Suir and brought them, step by step, through the entire process of measuring, digging, planting, mulching and constructing raised beds. We all benefitted enormously from the gardening project learning about the advantages…

I am in constant awe of Dee’s commitment and creativity to bring green issues into the mainstream and to include all of us in her vision. Her knowledge and skill in leading her business is rooted firmly in a grassroots approach to her work and a unique approach to spreading the word.

Catherine Drea, Foxglove Lane Studios

I recently attended a beginners workshop with Dee. Needing a basic guide to starting a home garden, we were reassured by her easy manner and the jargon free language. She introduced us to the basics of soil, plants, light and shade and shared some of her own gardening successes and failures. This workshop gave me the confidence to start digging!

MaryCarlow.

“Innovative, creative and has a natural flair for business development”

Ann-Marie Lehart, Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Excellent for beginners, covers all the basics for the newcomer to gain confidence.

Sean Daly, Leighlin Parish Garden Course

I did an entry level gardening course with Dee a couple of years ago and couldn’t recommend her course enough. She knows anything there is to know about vegetable growing, is very free with her knowledge. Dee genuinely loves what she does and her enthusiasm is infectious. Her class was fabulous, engaging, fun and brimming with useful tips and hints. It truly takes the mystery out of growing your own.